At least 36 countries will take part in Eurovision 2027: Slovenia and Spain have until December to decide whether they will compete in Burgas

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has officially announced the official list of countries set to take part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2027. After months of intense negotiations, at least 36 countries will compete in Burgas (Bulgaria) for the coveted crystal microphone at the 71st edition of the contest, which will take place at Arena Burgas on 11, 13 and 15 May. This represents one more broadcaster than in 2026.

This time, the announcement has been brought forward to Tuesday, 28 October, although it remains a provisional list while awaiting the decision of Slovenia (RTVSLO) and Spain (RTVE).

As in previous editions, the presence of Israeli broadcaster KAN is once again casting a shadow over the Eurovision Song Contest 2027. Despite the changes introduced by the EBU, Israel remains an unacceptable red line for Ireland (RTÉ), Iceland (RÚV) and the Netherlands (NPO), which are maintaining their decision to stay away for a second consecutive edition. Meanwhile, Slovenia and Spain will have more time to decide, as the EBU has granted their broadcasters an extension until December.

Take a look at the official list of participants in the Eurovision Song Contest 2027 below:

“The Eurovision Song Contest has always been more than a competition, helping to launch the careers of new artists and promote hundreds of new songs every year”

“In a world that can sometimes feel increasingly divided, music brings audiences together, crossing borders, languages and cultures, and that is more important than ever. We are delighted to welcome CBC/Radio-Canada to the Contest for the first time, as well as MRT from North Macedonia. They join 34 other public broadcasters and their artists in Burgas, along with audiences around the world, to celebrate what it truly means to be ‘United By Music’”

Martin Green CBE, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest

In January (on a date yet to be confirmed), the EBU will hold the Semi-Final Allocation Draw in Burgas (Bulgaria). This is when we will find out which Semi-Final each of the 31 countries will compete in as they battle for a place in the Grand Final, as well as which Semi-Final the Big Four (Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom) and Bulgaria, as the host country, will vote in. Ten entries will qualify from each Semi-Final, creating a Grand Final featuring 25 countries.

Meanwhile, tickets for the Eurovision Song Contest 2027 will go on sale at the beginning of the year. Once again, fans will need to register in advance as a ‘Eurofan’ on the official website in order to purchase tickets.

“Bulgaria is looking forward to welcoming the contestants and all the fans who will travel specifically to see the live performances. We are working to deliver an incredible experience for viewers watching on their screens, for the audience inside the venue and for all our guests in the beautiful city of Burgas”

“The Eurovision Song Contest is not just a television programme, but a global event that, through music, inspires people to discover new places and build new friendships. We believe that not only in Burgas, but in every other part of Bulgaria our guests may visit, they will find warmth, beauty and a reason to return. We look forward to seeing you soon!”

Milena Milotinova, Director General of host broadcaster Bŭlgarska Natsionalna Televiziya (BNT)

One notable detail in the announcement is that the EBU continues with its strategy of referring to “participating broadcasters”, placing the focus on each of the public broadcasters taking part in the event, rather than on the country itself. Until 2025, they were simply referred to as “participating countries”. This approach reinforces the organisation’s argument that “governments do not participate in the contest; public broadcasters do”, as Martin Green, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, has repeatedly stated.

How many countries will take part in Eurovision 2027?

The Eurovision Song Contest 2027 will take place in Burgas (Bulgaria) on 11, 13 and 15 May. Organised by broadcaster Bŭlgarska Natsionalna Televiziya (BNT), Arena Burgas will welcome the 36 participating delegations.

The contest is seeking to move past its participation crisis, following the lowest number of entries in decades at Vienna 2026, with the total now rising to 36 countries. This is the same figure as the Istanbul 2004 edition, the first to introduce a qualifying Semi-Final.

Take a look at the evolution of participation in the Eurovision Song Contest since Copenhagen 2014 in the following interactive map:

“Welcome to Burgas, where the sea meets music and Europe finds one more reason to come together”

“I extend my greetings to all the delegations taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2027! You turn music into a borderless language that brings people together. For me, as Mayor, for my team and for all the people of Burgas, it is a pleasure to be part of this great musical experience. Let us embark on this exciting journey together! We look forward to welcoming you with the warm hospitality our city is known for”

Dimitar Nikolov, Mayor of Burgas

Ireland, Iceland and the Netherlands maintain their Eurovision boycott in 2027

After the 70th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest was overshadowed by Israel’s participation, the Burgas 2027 edition is once again surrounded by controversy. Three of the five countries that joined the 2026 boycott are maintaining their position for the following year. Ireland (RTÉ), Iceland (RÚV) and the Netherlands (NPO) are sticking to their decision not to share the stage with Israel.

In the case of Ireland, on 17 September, broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) became the first to announce its decision not to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2027. It also stressed that it will not broadcast the competition.

In a brief statement, RTÉ said that its critical position on Israel’s participation in Eurovision “remains unchanged”, referring to the continuing loss of life in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis affecting the territory. The Irish broadcaster also expressed its “concern” over the lack of independent access to Gaza for international journalists.

Meanwhile, on 30 September, the Board of Directors of Icelandic public broadcaster Ríkisútvarpið (RÚV) said it was maintaining its critical position on Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Six of the nine members of its Board of Directors submitted a formal request for Iceland not to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2027 if Israel remains in the competition.

Under the agreement, the six members asked RÚV’s Director General to inform the EBU that the Icelandic broadcaster should not take part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2027 “unless Israel is excluded from the competition”. They also reiterated their previous request for the EBU to expel Israeli broadcaster KAN from the contest due to the alleged “damage to the reputation of the contest”.

In the case of the Netherlands, the situation was more complicated. On 24 August, Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS announced that it would not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2027, arguing that the contest had lost its neutrality because of geopolitical tensions and, in particular, Israel’s participation. The broadcaster argued that the changes proposed by the EBU were not sufficient to guarantee transparency and independence.

However, the door was later opened for the Netherlands to take part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2027, after AVROTROS handed responsibility for the Dutch entry back to the umbrella public broadcaster Nederlandse Publieke Omroep (NPO). During this process, the EBU gave the Dutch broadcaster more time to decide whether it would take part. Finally, on 23 September, the return of the Netherlands under broadcaster NPO was officially announced.

When its return was announced, it was stressed that Dutch public broadcasting would divide its responsibilities into two separate areas. The selection and preparation of the representative of the Netherlands would become a joint project involving the different public organisations, coordinated by NPO. An independent team was proposed to select the entry. Meanwhile, broadcaster NOS would once again take charge of Eurovision Song Contest coverage and its broadcast.

However, dissatisfaction within the public broadcasting organisation continued to grow. In fact, around 400 employees from Dutch public media called for a withdrawal under the slogan #NietMijnSongfestival, while seven broadcasters demanded answers from management.

This lack of support for the project forced broadcaster NPO to reverse its decision. On 27 October, its withdrawal was announced. However, the Netherlands will still broadcast the Semi-Finals and the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2027 live.

Czechia withdraws due to budget cuts

Czechia will not take part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2027. Broadcaster Česká televize (ČT) announced its decision to withdraw from the competition on 7 October. In a statement published through its official social media accounts, ČT confirmed its absence in 2027 and also announced that it will not broadcast the contest.

The decision came amid budget adjustments that forced ČT to review its priorities and reduce certain costs. Czech Television explained that participation in the Eurovision Song Contest is a large-scale project, both in terms of production and organisation, as well as programming.

North Macedonia makes its long-awaited return to the competition

North Macedonia will return to the Eurovision Song Contest 2027 after four editions away. Its return was officially confirmed on 14 September. Before that, public broadcaster Makedonska Radio Televizija (MRT) approved the decision on 21 May, with the support of the organisers, who offered it more favourable conditions to make its comeback easier and promote the country’s culture.

The most recent participation of North Macedonia came at Turin 2022, represented by Andrea Koevska with «Circles», which failed to reach the Grand Final. Between 2023 and 2026, broadcaster MRT withdrew due to budgetary and organisational problems, although it broadcast the Vienna 2026 edition.

Canada becomes the first country to debut at Eurovision since 2015

Canada will make its debut at the Eurovision Song Contest 2027. Canadian broadcaster CBC/Radio-Canada confirmed its participation on 1 July through its official social media accounts, highlighting that Eurovision “is a phenomenal global stage for local talent”. Notably, this will be the first debut at the European contest since Australia joined in the Vienna 2015 edition.

For Canada, its participation depends entirely on the decision of broadcaster CBC/Radio-Canada, which became an active member of the EBU just weeks earlier following a change to the organisation’s statutes.

The EBU confirmed that Canada will compete in the Semi-Finals, meaning it will not have an automatic place as happened with Australia’s debut at Vienna 2015.

Other notable potential debuts were also discussed, including Kazakhstan (Khabar Agency) and Kosovo (RTK), although neither has materialised for this 71st edition. Meanwhile, Hungary (MRTV) also considered a possible return to the Eurovision Song Contest 2027.